Electrical socket and adapter



Sept. 7, 1948. A. MORRIS 2,443,725

ELECTRICAL SOCKET AND ADAPTER Filed Nov. 20, 1945 I uvmvrogz. iqn lpur Mo rr/s Eatenteri S ept.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL SOCKET AND ADAPTER Arthur Morris, Los Angeles, Calif. Application November 20, 1945 Serial No. 629,865

, 2 Claims. (01. 173-343) As indicated by the title, the present invention relates to sockets andadapters for electrical circuits. A common type of electrical circuit connector is that of the screw type, in which an internally threaded female socket is so arranged as to I receive a male adapter having like threads upon the exterior thereof. The other of the two prevailing types of connector and socket, comprises an arrangement inwhich the socket is provided with metallic recesses in which metallic prongs are inserta-ble or withdrawable by a push and/or pull action. The above referred to types of connector have generally served well, but are of course subject to certain limitations and handicaps, among which may be mentioned that in the first mentioned type of connectorconsiderable time is involved in screwing the several parts together to make connection, whereas in the last mentioned type, the connected elements are very aptto become disjoined upon the occasion of a minor pull upon either-of the cords leading to the connector. i

In View of the foregoing and other considerations as will subsequently appear, it is a prime object of the present invention to provide a more simple, reliable and efficient lectrical connector than is now available.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector which is readily joined and which after being joined cannot become disengaged by application of a longitudinal pull thereon.

'A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector wherein a male and female element are joinable by a mere sliding movement, but which are disconnectable upon lateral movement of a holding dog which forms an element of the construction thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in an electrical connector, latch means to hold a connector and adapted in closed position and which are disjoinable upon manual movement of a slidable ring.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which is devoid of screw and slip joint means of disconnection.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector the elements of which are joinable in a slip fit, but which are not re-- leasable upon application of an oppositely directed force.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector which will not become disengaged when subjected to longitudinally directed pressure and/or vibration.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the detailed specification, and the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view of the socket and adapter of this invention in which certain portions thereof are broken away to facilitate illustration thereof.

Figure 2 is a view of threaded connector adapted for use in conjunction with many like threaded sockets, but in which the opposite end thereof is adapted to be joined with a type of socket contemplated in the present invention.

Figure 3 is a View showing the socket of this invention, with portions of the case thereof broken away to facilitate illustration.

Figure 4 is a view partially in section showing the socket of this invention and showing an adapter therefor in partial side elevation.

.Figure 5 is a view showingmodified form of socket in which spring pressed latches are adapted to engage and hold an adapter in union therewith.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on line 6-6, Figure 2.

Figure 7 is also a plan view of the socket, taken as shown along line 1-1, Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view showing the finger actuated cam employed in connection with the adapter of this invention as a means of releasing the springable fingers in the companion socket; and,

Figure 9 is a plan view thereof.

In the drawing the reference character In indicates the socket of this invention and the numeral I2 is indicative of the adapter employed in conjunction therewith. Due to the fact that many screw sockets of the old type M are currently in use, I have shown a modification of the adapter I2, in that it is shown as being provided with threads l6 so that the adapter of my invention may be used in conjunction with the common type of screw socket. This modification is shown in Figures 1 and 2, while Figures 4 and 5 show an adapter which follows the theory of my invention without reference to currently used screw thread sockets.

The adapter l2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body portion l8 formed of a suitable insulating material such as certain of the plastic materials now available in commercial quantities, and as shown is fitted with a metallic screw thread shell 20 which is electrically connected with a lead 22 the free end of which is enlarged and has a socket-like recess 24 therein to receive a prong 26 which extends thereinto from the socket 10, as will be more particularly pointed out as this description is developed. The body portion I8 is formed with an annular shoulder 28, while intermediately of the shoulder 28 and the threaded shell 20, a finger actuated slidable cam 30 is positioned, and which as shown in Figure 8 comprises an annulus having inclined exterior 3 sides 32 which in fact constitute a cam surface, while the central opening 34 therein is cylindrical and is adapted to encircle that portion of the adapter which lies between the shoulder 28 and the threaded shell 20 and is slidable longitudinally thereof in response to finger pressure. A second lead, or lead 24a is electrically connected with a contact point 24b, and extends through the adapter to a recessed free end portion 24.0 whereby connection with a second prong 26a extending from the socket I may be had.

The adapter shown in Figures lean-d '5, follows the previously described construction, except that the shell 20 is eliminated and the corresponding end thereof is recessed at 38 to receive the terterminals 40 of the leads 24 andi24'a, and which terminals aresadapted to'be conventionally joined with :an incoming or outgoing electric-cord e2. A screw capdfle is provided to close the recess I38 and to provide an anchorage for the cord 42.

The socket. 110 is formed with a body portion dllihavingarecess 52' in its one end and a threaded recess 54a in the other of the :ends thereot and whichasshown, is adapted 'toxreceive a similarly threaded cap fifizasameans of anchoring the other vofithe cords, or-cordi'fi8, the bare end of the wires vof;which.are secured'to. the ends :69. of the. prongs 26 and 26a.. The recess-=2 has: cylindrical sides 6,2;upon the: inner face of which Itsecure a plural number'ofspringable fingers M1, the intermediate portion of'which isuformed with. a right. angled 'hend'idfi whiehais: adapted, as shown in the drawinsgtozengage and to rest "upon the. shoulder 28 whenctheadapterand: socket arejoinedbutwhich are outwardly movable under pressure of the cam face; 32 when the: .cam. structure. 30 is. finger pressed to the position shownrin dotted-lines in Figure 1, thereby. releasing the. adapter: and socket of an otherwisepositivelockedunion which experience; has: shown: will. not, be otherwise brckenby: such-force; as vibration,. forcible. blows, .or .arpullingiorce directed longitudinally of the assembly;

In Figure 5 I show a modified form: of socket construction whichiina general; follows the-previiously described arrangement, excepting, that instead. of thespringablefingers; 64: as: a, means to hpldithe adapteriand socket;-in.joinedrconnection, I: here, show a: plural number of spring pressed latches, 1-D; as; a releasable means to, hold the adapter and socket in union, for as shown the latch 18 when in functioning position rests upon the shoulder 28 in like manner to the grip afiorded by the bend B6 in the fingers 64, and are retracted upon movingthe cam 39 downwardly so that the cam face 32 slides against'the inclined face of the latch 10. It is believed this modification of the general construction herein shown needs no further amplification, let it suffice to state that it is simple, reliable, and efficient in operation, and affordsa variation from the previously described and generally preferred construction.

I claim:

1. In an electrical connector comprising an adapter and a socket, in combination, a shoulder on said adapter, repressiblexmeans' in said; socket, said last mentioned means beingadapted toengage and rest upon said shoulder when iSai'd adapter and. socket are inzunion a cam said' cam being ifinger actuated and slidablyypositidned-on saidadapter and beingadapted to engage and repress said' repressible means whereby said adapter and socket may be disengaged, andimeans in saidadapter and socket 'to-conduct electrical energy therethroughuponconneotion with an extericrpower source.

2'. In an electrical connector, an adapter and a-v socket in combination, an annular shoulderuin said adapter and electrical leads; extending through said-adapter, asocket, retractable springs insaidsocket to'engage sa-idshoulder,,-fin@g,er actu,- ated spreading means to repress said" springs whereby said adapter and socket may be, disjoined, and electrical leads extending through said socket, -said-leads in their-adiaeentends-being adapted to be in slidable contact and-- having their opposite ends in connection with an-;exterior power source. I

REFERENCES." CITED The following referencesf arelot' reoordtinathe file of this patent;

UNITED STATES" PATENTS Number Name Date 747,493 Scruggs Dec. 22,,l903 747,553; Kelsey Dacia-21 12903 1,552,346 Riley septa-st, 1925 

